El Camino project car

[hotrodalex]

Oh, and the speedometer didn't give me any issues while in Vegas. So the cable must shrink more than the hole when it's cold.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Yeah, blame it on shrinkage.

[hotrodalex]

Plus a worn out thingamabob.

I'm not gonna tear apart the dash, so it'll just have to behave or I'll go back to not having a speedometer.

[Soup DeVille]

Oh, and the speedometer didn't give me any issues while in Vegas. So the cable must shrink more than the hole when it's cold.

That sounds vaguely familiar, but I can't quite place from where.

[hotrodalex]

lol

Changed the oil today and noticed a dent on the driver's side header. Stupid speed bumps around here are deadly. A good argument for switching to the ceramic coated mid-length headers that I found a deal on.

[GoCougs]

Meh, have had a few cars with headers. It's never been worth it. If I ever own a classic/muscle car again, it'll never have headers. If headers were built with the fit and robustness of a factory manifold, they'd, uh, pretty much look like a factory manifold.

[hotrodalex]

I've never had a real trouble with them, and they do provide an advantage. (even moreso when you start upgrading cams and heads and such)

http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/1310-headers-dyno-test/

Ceramic coating seems to be a huge plus as well.

[GoCougs]

Well, now you've had trouble knocking one on a speed bump . They also tend to rust, warp, blow out gaskets and back out their bolts, and my biggest header pet peeve, add unpleasant under hood noise. For a street motor, the real advantage is sounds and looks, often times at the expense of real-world performance. For example, on a what is basically a stock motor in your car IIRC, put manifolds back on your car and you'll see an immediate improvement in part throttle and lower RPM performance, and equal if not better overall performance.

So let's look at the test you posted. From the smallest (which are pretty much a stone's throw from factory manifolds) to the largest the average power gain was only ~20 hp on a ~550 - 600 hp motor (5% gain) and note the smallest headers (er, proxy factory manifolds) make the most power/torque from ~3,600 - ~4,600 rpm. Also note that some of those larger headers don't look like they'd fit in the average street-driven car. Note this is a big block Chevy 427 that is fairly wild - roller cam, huge carb, single plane intake, ~7,000 rpm red line - so on a more average street motor 5% is maybe 10 hp, and with that you have all the headaches I've mentioned.

[FoMoJo]

lol

Changed the oil today and noticed a dent on the driver's side header. Stupid speed bumps around here are deadly. A good argument for switching to the ceramic coated mid-length headers that I found a deal on.

How much clearance do you have?  You're supposed to slow down when you go over them.  That way you might not rebound so much right onto your headers.

[hotrodalex]

How much clearance do you have?  You're supposed to slow down when you go over them.  That way you might not rebound so much right onto your headers.

~5 inches, maybe? I've never measured. Enough for any reasonable bump. Not enough for the silly curbs they try to pass off as speed bumps at some locations in Utah. For example, when I had the BMW out here the same speed bumps would scrape the side skirts under the rear doors. Both cars just crawling over them.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I have never regretted installing headers on any of my street driven vehicles. Long tube and ceramic coated is the way to go. The real nemesis here is the evil, header-destroyng, government speed bump. I can't believe coogs didn't point that out.

[hotrodalex]

Auburn or Eaton posi?

[Eye of the Tiger]

Auburn or Eaton posi?

Powertrax.

[FoMoJo]

Detroit Locker.

[hotrodalex]

TrueTrac is probably the best option but apparently they don't make them to fit on a GM 8.2 axle.

[FoMoJo]

TrueTrac is probably the best option but apparently they don't make them to fit on a GM 8.2 axle.

Get a Ford 9"...be all set to drop in a big block then.

[hotrodalex]

Except for the transmission and front suspension.

[FoMoJo]

Except for the transmission and front suspension.

All in good time.  You have to start somewhere.

[hotrodalex]

I'll be plenty happy with new heads and cam. Plenty of power and lighter.

[FoMoJo]

What kind of heads were you thinking of?

[hotrodalex]

Edelbrock Performer or equivalent. Just looking to bump up the compression, get slightly more flow, and take some weight off the front end.

[hotrodalex]

Current cam:
.383''/.401'' Lift, 194°/202° Duration @ .050'', and 112° lobe separation

New cam sitting in garage (Performer Plus):
.420"/.442" Lift, 204°/214° Duration @ .050", and 112° lobe separation

Performer Heads:
Combustion chamber volume: 64cc
Intake runner volume: 185cc
Exhaust runner volume: 65cc
Intake valve diameter: 2.02"
Exhaust valve diameter: 1.60"
Valve stem diameter: 11/32"
Valve guides: Manganese Bronze
Deck thickness: 5/8"
Valve spring diameter: 1.46"
Valve spring maximum lift: .575"
Rocker stud: 3/8"
Guideplate: Hardened steel
Pushrod diameter: 5/16"
Valve angle: 23°
Exhaust port location: Stock
Spark plug fitment: 14mm x .750 reach, tapered seat

[Eye of the Tiger]

I wonder if they make an easy flathead conversion.

[hotrodalex]

I wonder if they make an easy flathead conversion.

That'll be good for a daily driver. I'll just install an extra water pump or two and put another radiator in the bed.

[hotrodalex]

These might be a decent, cheaper option.

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Flo-Tek-102505-Assembled-S-B-Chevy-Aluminum-Head-Straight-Plug,25118.html

Intake flow numbers are a bit lower, but exhaust is better.

[FoMoJo]

Does the Gen 3 bolt pattern fit your block?  Never liked the looks of those siamese exhaust ports.

[hotrodalex]

I don't think so. I have a Gen I block.

[hotrodalex]

I have a 3.36 rear end at the moment. Should I get a higher numerical gear? Top gear is 1:1. I suppose eventually I could grab a 5 speed, but that won't happen until two summers from now at least. Would like to be able to cruise at ~75 while keeping revs under 3500 rpm. I think right now I can do 85 @ 3500 rpm.

[Rupert]

You're gonna blow your manifolds at that rpm.

[Cookie Monster]

I wish my car would rev to 35k.